Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) refers to all goods and services that are actually consumed by individual households, irrespective of whether these goods and services are purchased and provided by households, by the State or by non-profit organisations. In international comparisons, AIC is often preferred as an indicator of households’ material welfare.

AIC per capita varied among the 28 EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland, from 34 percent above the EU 28 average to 44 percent below the EU 28 average. Luxemburg tops the list with 34 percent above, followed by Norway, which recorded 26 percent above, and Switzerland which recorded 24 percent above the EU average. However, it should be noted that Norway, Switzerland and Iceland are not included in the EU 28 average.

GDP per capita is mainly an indicator of economic activity in a particular country.

In 2018, Sweden’s GDP per capita was 20 percent above the EU 28 average. Luxembourg had by far the highest GDP per capita, at 161 percent above the EU average. This high figure is due, in part, to the large share of foreign workers in the country, who contribute to GDP, but are not included in the population statistics. The lowest figure recorded in this comparison was 49 percent below the EU average, in Bulgaria.

The next item of statistical news will be published on 22 December 2020 at 9:30.